Enabling efficient positioning of a target device in a wireless communication system

Abstract

According to one of the aspects of the proposed technology, there is provided a method for positioning of a target device in a wireless communication system. The method comprises obtaining beam quality information relating to reference beams transmitted from at least two network nodes according to specific beam patterns, and obtaining beam pattern information representative of the specific beam patterns. The method also comprises determining a position of the target device based on the beam quality information and the beam pattern information. In this way, improved positioning accuracy may be obtained in an efficient manner.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for assisting in the positioning of a target device in a wireless communication system, wherein the method comprises:
 the target device performing beam quality measurements on reference beams transmitted from at least two network nodes according to specific beam patterns;   the target device reporting beam quality information comprising information representative of the beam quality measurements and information representative of said at least two network nodes to a location server in the wireless communication system to enable positioning of the target device based on the beam quality information and beam pattern information representative of the specific beam patterns.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the beam pattern information for each reference beam corresponds to the specific beam pattern used at the time of measurement of the reference beam. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of reporting comprises generating a measurement report for positioning of the target device including the beam quality information and sending the measurement report to the location server. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the beam quality information is associated with time stamp information representative of the time of measurement of each reference beam. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises receiving a request from the location server for performing the beam quality measurements and reporting the beam quality information. 
     
     
         20 . A method for assisting in the positioning of a target device in a wireless communication system, wherein the method comprises:
 a network node receiving a request for beam pattern information;   the network node providing, in response to the request, beam pattern information representative of at least one specific beam pattern used for transmission of at least one reference beam that allows beam quality measurements by the target device; and   the network node reporting the beam pattern information to the target device or a location server in the wireless communication system for enabling positioning of the target device based on the beam pattern information and corresponding beam quality measurements.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the request for beam pattern information comprises time stamp information, and the step of providing beam pattern information comprises providing beam pattern information representative of at least one specific beam pattern used for transmission of at least one reference beam at a time indicated by the time stamp information. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the method further comprises transmitting the reference beams according to the specific beam pattern. 
     
     
         23 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A device configured to assist in the positioning of a target device in a wireless communication system, wherein the device is configured to perform beam quality measurements on reference beams transmitted from at least two network nodes according to specific beam patterns, and
 wherein the device is configured to report beam quality information comprising information representative of the beam quality measurements and information representative of said at least two network nodes to a location server in the wireless communication system to enable positioning of the target device based on the beam quality information and beam pattern information representative of the specific beam patterns.   
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the device comprises a processor and memory, the memory comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine the position of the target device or assist in the positioning of the target device. 
     
     
         35 . A network node configured to assist in the positioning of a target device in a wireless communication system, wherein the network node is configured to receive a request for beam pattern information,
 wherein the network node is configured to provide, in response to the request, beam pattern information representative of at least one specific beam pattern used for transmission of at least one reference beam that allows beam quality measurements by the target device, and   wherein the network node is configured to report the beam pattern information to the target device or a location server in the wireless communication system for enabling positioning of the target device based on the beam pattern information and corresponding beam quality measurements.   
     
     
         36 . The network node of  claim 35 , wherein the request for beam pattern information comprises time stamp information, and the network node is configured to provide beam pattern information by providing beam pattern information representative of at least one specific beam pattern used for transmission of at least one reference beam at a time indicated by the time stamp information. 
     
     
         37 . The network node of  claim 36 , wherein the network node is configured to transmit the reference beams according to the specific beam pattern. 
     
     
         38 - 49 . (canceled)